A Southern Baptist brother asks, "What do you think should be done with seminary professors who teach contrary to the seminary's doctrinal statement?"

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Many seminaries, Christian colleges and Bible training schools serve a particular denomination or fellowship within the larger church and are supported by believers of that particular variety. It is not uncommon under those circumstances for the institution to express the convictions of its founders and supporters in some kind of doctrinal statement, to which its professors are required to adhere.

If a particular seminary has a doctrinal statement to which its professors are obligated to subscribe, and if such a professor can no longer in good conscience subscribe to that statement (not merely doubts or uncertainties but firm commitment to the contrary), it seems to me that integrity would require that professor either (1) to convince the seminary to change its doctrinal statement or (2) to resign from teaching at that seminary. If neither of those actions occurred, I should think it right    in due time for the seminary to ask the professor to find employment elsewhere since his or her conscience was at variance with the seminary's published and official doctrinal statement.

Integrity would also require a professor's accusers (1) to have clear and convincing evidence from the professor personally regarding his or her position -- not merely to assume it, or to accept hearsay for it, or to derive it by "logical extension"; (2) to allow sufficient time for a thorough analysis of the situation; (3) to permit the proper administrative authorities to discuss the matter with the professor and to consider the options; (4) not to wage a public-relations campaign against the professor; and (5) to treat the professor with personal dignity, compassion and respect.

Too often, lust for power disguises itself as zeal for orthodoxy and good people are destroyed in the name of "truth." Such conduct repels potential believers who observe it and, I am convinced, grieves both our Savior and the Father who sent him into the world.

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